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Mar 26, 2021Liked by Craig Brown

I like that things are more fluid at the end because they have some options on the table that can make the team better. Not settling for a position player or pitcher just because he was suppose to be there. Playing to win from game 1 is the goal- right?

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Most definitely. But it feels like there's just a little more risk involved with so many options and moving parts. That's why the manager gets paid the big bucks and I'm just sitting over here giving away a newsletter. :)

They are definitely playing to win. And that's not something you can say about every team. So that's a nice problem to have.

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Mar 26, 2021Liked by Craig Brown

Nicky is headed to Omaha. With a 30% plus strikeout rate, he clearly has some things to straighten out with his swing and you can't really do that while riding the pines. Alberto is fine to cover SS in a pinch until Lopez can be recalled in the event of a DL stint with Mondesi. Isbel is your starting RF with a possible platoon with McBroom, and or Whit shifts to RF and Alberto to 2B against LHSP. O'Hearn eventually is the odd man out. Santana made the team yesterday. Yesterday's lineup was the opening day lineup.

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Nothing along those lines would surprise. If they're sold on Isbel, they're sold. But the outfield alignment still feels messy to me. Then again, the Royals have always made some wild decisions at the end of their roster.

And totally agree on Santana. He shoved.

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April rosters tend to be pretty fluid.... Isbel is not the kind of uber prospect (like a certain guy named Witt) that you worry about ruining or service time really. DM is on record saying that it wouldn't surprise them if Isbel forced his way onto the roster. Worst case, he struggles hitting and you replace him with Lopez in a month or two and move Whit back to RF. Isbel does a lot of things aside from hitting. Good fielder, good speed... just a good baseball player. David Dejesus comp.

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Agree. The Royals have at the very least assembled a roster that gives them a plethora of options. If they're serious about contention, the challenge is to quickly figure out the best way to deploy those options.

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Mar 26, 2021Liked by Craig Brown

Yeah, options like moving Dozier or Whit to RF and Bobby Witt Jr to 2B/3B! I understand the decision and think it was the right one but I've got the feeling that Bobby will be playing at Kaufman before September. We need to find out whether Isbel can cover CF as Taylor is on a one year deal. Perhaps Witt goes to CF. Lots of options...

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